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defensive sector to the left of that of the 358th Infantry. The 359th (-) remained in Division
Reserve. Division Artillery made preparations to move into a new assembly area. On two
occasions during the day, German tanks appeared in the area of the 357th Infantry.
21 June (D+15): Operations memorandum covering the subjects of rehabilitation, housekeeping
and Tank-Infantry training was drawn up and put into effect immediately. German mines were
issued to all units for training purposes. The Division's Regiments continued to hold their
positions. The 2nd Battalion of the 359th was relieved of its assignment and rejoined the rest of
the 359th. Several times throughout the day, the 357th was attacked by enemy Infantry and tanks,
but all enemy efforts were beaten back. Enemy Artillery was active in the 357th Infantry area.
22 June (D+16): All three Regiments continued to organize their defensive positions. The 2nd
Battalion of the 357th launched an attack of a limited nature in order to strengthen its position.
The attack was successful. A reinforced Battalion of the 359th proceeded to the vicinity of the
357th. This Battalion was attached to the 357th. Necessary readjustments were made by the
358th and the 359th so that they might tie in with the defensive positions of the 82nd and 101st
Airborne Divisions. [Page 6]
23 June (D+17): The 358th and 359th Infantries relieved the 507th Parachute Regiment in the area
south of the Douve River. The 357th conducted mop-up operations in the town of Portbail. Along
the entire front aggressive patrolling was conducted by the respective units in their defensive
sectors.
24 June (D+18): Corps order directed active patrolling by the 359th from their sector down to the
river line with the mission of eliminating all German resistance in that pocket. The mission was
completed and no Germans were found. Throughout the night, German patrols made contact with
the 90th front lines.
25 June (D+19): The activities of the 90th remained unchanged. The various Regiments continued
defending their respective sectors. Civilian report of an impending attack against the 357th
Infantry was found to be inaccurate. Nevertheless, the 358th was ordered to motorize one
battalion and to hold it on call. The VIII Corps directed all Artillery in the Corps to fire one-sixth
of a unit of fire to represent the simulated attack.
26 June (D+20): The mission of the Division remained unchanged. The units continued to
improve their defensive positions. During the night of the 25th and the morning of the 26th, an
enemy patrol struck in force in the area of the OPLR of the 357th and made slight penetration.
Hand grenades were used extensively between our units and the enemy patrols. The enemy was
destroyed or taken prisoner. The 357th's lines were restored. 40 prisoners including one
Regimental Commander and two Lieutenants were taken. 357th suffered 13 casualties.
27 June (D+21): The Division's units continued to hold their defensive sectors, and to await
further orders from Corps.
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